Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, also member of Likud Party, said a victory for Amir Peretz in the Labor Party's leadership ballot "is liable to cause a problem for the Likud," the Ha'aretz daily reported on Wednesday.

Histadrut (trade union) chief Amir Peretz and Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres are vying for the Labor Party's chairmanship in a vote, which began on Wednesday morning.

Shalom expressed worry about the voting, although Peretz, who has vowed to pull out of Sharon's coalition if chosen to head the party, is unlikely to win the race.

Meanwhile, polls predicted that Peres, 82, who began his political career as a young aide to Israel's founding Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, is favored to continue his position as Labor Party's chairman.

In addition, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and incumbent Science Minister Matan Vilnai have withdrawn from the race, throwing their support to Peres.

Peres needs to garner 40 percent of votes to win.

However, Peres has been many time defeated in the past despite favorable polling numbers.

By the early afternoon hours, the turnout in the Labor leadership ballot has reached 20 percent of the total 100,474 eligible votes.

Polling stations are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Peres said Wednesday morning before casting his vote that he intends to lead the Labor against the Likud in the next general elections and for the coming years.

The Labor election came amid speculation that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, head of the Likud, could be forced into an early national election by rebellious Likud lawmakers who retaliated him for his disengagement plan.

Source: Xinhua